Cool Trick I Figured Out!

[Luken10]

I was installing new pads and rotors this weekend, learning as I went. When it came time to take the rear rotors off it was an absolute pain. No amount of penetrating fluid or banging would loosen them. I noticed the threaded hole you can screw a bolt through to push off the rotor from the hub. However, at this point all my tools were laid out in my front lawn with my car jacked up on the street. Couldn't exactly leave to go to Home Depot to buy a screw, and I didn't even know the right size. I proceeded to unbolt a few screws from different places on the car to see if they would fit to no prevail.

I just so happened to be using the stock spare jack for extra support and noticed the bolt that holds it secure in the rear of the car. To my amazement it worked perfectly! Not sure if it is a coincidence, but figured it is a great trick to know.

Here is the bolt I am talking about.
<iframe src="https://skydrive.live.com/embed?cid=5AA886B2BC80B78C&resid=5AA886B2BC80B78C%21267&authkey=ANIRFjdM00TlPKs" width="180" height="320" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe>

TL;DR summary, the bolt that holds the jack to your car is the exact size that will help you effortlessly pop the rotors off the hub.

 

[pcb]

I remember doing the same trick,... but be careful,... that's not hardened steel and you can strip the threads easily.

IIRC,... it's the same size thread needed for the threaded holes in the crank pulley used for the SST (specialty shop tool)

 

[JesseM]

Good to know! I'll be doing my rear pads soon

 

[Fresco]

I was installing new pads and rotors this weekend, learning as I went. When it came time to take the rear rotors off it was an absolute pain. No amount of penetrating fluid or banging would loosen them. I noticed the threaded hole you can screw a bolt through to push off the rotor from the hub. However, at this point all my tools were laid out in my front lawn with my car jacked up on the street. Couldn't exactly leave to go to Home Depot to buy a screw, and I didn't even know the right size. I proceeded to unbolt a few screws from different places on the car to see if they would fit to no prevail.

I just so happened to be using the stock spare jack for extra support and noticed the bolt that holds it secure in the rear of the car. To my amazement it worked perfectly! Not sure if it is a coincidence, but figured it is a great trick to know.

Here is the bolt I am talking about.
<iframe src="https://skydrive.live.com/embed?cid=5AA886B2BC80B78C&resid=5AA886B2BC80B78C%21267&authkey=ANIRFjdM00TlPKs" width="180" height="320" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe>

TL;DR summary, the bolt that holds the jack to your car is the exact size that will help you effortlessly pop the rotors off the hub.

The reason you had a difficult time removing the rear rotors is because you didn't retract the piston back to its "home" position, there is an allen style screw in the back of the caliper that you are supposed to turn to move the caliper piston back into the caliper.

 

[pcb]

My rotors were rusted/fused to the hub face.

I grease use anti-sieze between the surfaces now.

 

[Luken10]

PCB, I will probably go size a stronger bolt at the hardware store sometime just so I have it. Wasn't too worried about being rusted on since it has always been a California car.

Fresco, I was having a difficult time getting the rotor off the hub, not the caliper.

 

[pcb]

PCB, I will probably go size a stronger bolt at the hardware store sometime just so I have it.

I've gotta do the same thing,... I bent the one I used to hold the crank pulley.

 

[Fresco]

PCB, I will probably go size a stronger bolt at the hardware store sometime just so I have it. Wasn't too worried about being rusted on since it has always been a California car.

Fresco, I was having a difficult time getting the rotor off the hub, not the caliper.

ooops blonde moment

 

[Maroon]

That's a good trick. Hopefully I remember next time.

 

[rit14623]

If you can, provide the size of the bolt here.

 

[hornsfan10609]

Should be an M6x1.0, you will find them all over the car